4 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Patio Door

Patio doors are an excellent way to bring in natural light into a room, connect your interior and exterior spaces, and add aesthetic appeal to your house. From bi-fold doors to sliding doors, French to hinged doors, and energy-efficient to UV-layered, selecting the right door for your patio can be overwhelming.

Here's a quick guide to help you choose a patio door that you can be proud of for many years later.

1. Think About the Style That Fits Your Home

There are different types of patio doors, and your choice will depend on the needs of your home. Common patio doors include French, bi-fold, and sliding doors, but these are not your only options. Others include pivot, hinged, corner, and pocket doors.

A French patio door is a two-door system with each door moving in the opposite direction. This type of door is suitable for smaller homes and condominiums and is an excellent choice for letting plenty of light into a room.

A cousin of the French patio door, the bi-fold door consists of at least three units that slide on a track and fold together on a single frame. The bi-fold door opens up more than other types of patio doors and can provide a remarkable connection between your home and garden.

Sliding doors come with sideways-gliding panels that pile up at the end of a frame. These doors offer great space-spacing and energy efficiency benefits when you install them correctly. A pocket door is a type of sliding door where the door is built into and slides into the wall to completely open up the indoors to the patio.

2. Consider Functionality and Utility

In addition to design considerations, you also need to think about the function of your patio door and how it fits into your home's layout. Factors such as the location of the patio door, the size and ambiance of your outdoor space, and how you would like the indoors to connect with the outside space will impact your choice.

You also want to consider how often you use the patio. If you use it frequently, the durability of the door is an important consideration. Does the door face the sun? If so, you will need to look into options such as double-pane, energy-efficient, and UV-protected glass doors.

3. Pay Close To Attention Energy Efficiency

Glass doors are stylish and can also help to cut energy costs. Choose doors made from tempered glass, which is durable, safe and offers thermoregulation benefits by keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Another option is low-E glass, which has an invisible metallic layer that retains heat in colder months and keeps the heat out in the summer.

Find doors that meet the Energy Star standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. These types of doors deliver higher thermal performance, allowing you to make significant annual savings on heating and cooling costs.

4. Select Custom Additions to Glass Doors

What's unique and exceptional about glass doors is their versatility. Depending on your style preferences, you can customize the look of your glass doors by adding double panels, using decorative glass with complementing side panes, or using weather-resistant glass.

To give your doors a pop of style, you can choose different colors for the paneling, add grids, or embellish with materials such as brass.

Installing a patio door or replacing an old one is a significant home renovation investment. There is a lot involved in selecting the perfect patio door, and you should work with a professional for guidance.

At Concord & Antioch Glass, Inc., our skilled professionals will help you choose and install a patio door that will transform your home into a beautiful oasis. Contact us for an initial consultation and free estimates.